Frustrated Chelsea edge into EPL top four

Chelsea have suffered a setback in their push for a Champions League spot when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League.

Tempers flared at the end of the match when Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri was sent to the stands.

Jeff Hendrick gave Burnley an early lead with a crisp volley before N'Golo Kante and Gonzalo Higuain put the hosts 2-1 ahead by the 14th minute.

However, Ashley Barnes drew the visitors level 10 minutes later.

After Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal all lost at the weekend, Chelsea had an opportunity to tighten their grip on a top-four place.

The draw pushed Chelsea up a place into fourth, level on points with third-placed Spurs and one point ahead of Arsenal, both of whom have a played a game less.

Burnley remained 15th and are nine points clear of the relegation zone with three games left to play.

Chelsea's frustration at failing to claim all three points boiled over when referee Kevin Friend sent Sarri off after the Italian coach became embroiled in a scuffle among players on the touchline in the dying moments.

"You can understand he is frustrated about the game," Chelsea assistant coach Gianfranco Zola, who stood in for Sarri in the post-match news conference, said.

Zola said Sarri had sought to get his players out of the scuffle but the referee "misinterpreted it; we are very unhappy about it."

Zola added Sarri had been offended by a comment from the Burnley bench.

Chelsea defender David Luiz accused Burnley of playing "anti-football" by wasting time and employing negative tactics.